Completed in May 1907 as German Riol for Roland Linie AG, Bremen. 1914 interned at Valparaiso and 1921 allocated to Britain as war reparation, managed by Reardon Smith. 1927 sold to Yugoslavia and renamed Preradovic for Jugoslavenski Lloyd Akcionarsko Drustvo, Zagreb. 1940 renamed Fircrest for Crest Shipping Co Ltd, London.

Notes on event

Between 23.50 and 23.56 hours on 25 Aug 1940, U-124 fired four single torpedoes at four ships in convoy HX-65A 23 miles north of Butt of Lewis, Hebrides and claimed the sinking of all four. However, only three ships were hit: Harpalyce and Fircrest were sunk and the Stakesby was badly damaged.

The Fircrest (Master Russell H. Tuckett, OBE) in the most starboard column sank immediately after being hit amidships by a torpedo due to her cargo of iron ore. There were no survivors: the master, 38 crew members and one gunner were lost.